The movie exceeded my expectations and then some, which I had a feeling it would; while my boyfriend complained about why they changed so much in the film. As an avid reader, I knew that changes were coming, I just wasn’t expecting so many. Spielberg was able to take a disaster of a book, and make the movie interesting and exciting (just like he did with Minority Report). Practically every bit of Cline’s over descriptiveness is gone, which surprised me, considering he wrote the screenplay as well.

One of the best parts of the movie was the character development of Nolan Sorrento, head of IOI and main antagonist. To me, in the novel, Sorrento was just there, yeah he was the bad guy; but Cline did nothing to develop him. Spielberg did more than just make him the bad guy, he gave him a small backstory, in which we find out his plans of what he would do if he controlled the Oasis.

I also found Wade to me a more likable, less annoying character, which surprised me the most. He’s still a fanboy, but, Spielberg cut out the part in the novel where Wade becomes obsessed with getting Art3mis back after she tells him to leave him alone. Because, as everyone knows, persistence doesn’t work. I’d like to think that someone explained to Cline that behavior like that is incredibly problematic, but that’s a conversation for a different day.

If you want my word of advice, skip the book all together (unless you like torturing yourself) and watch the movie. I also got word that Cline plans on writing a sequel to Ready Player One. I’m hoping that maybe, just maybe his writing as an author improves. But if not, he has one hell of a career as a screenwriter.

Sign up to Swords & Spaceships to receive news and recommendations from the world of science fiction and fantasy.